Lebanon’s President Emile Lahoud began a two-day official visit in Algiers on Tuesday during which he is expected to review bilateral ties and the Middle East conflict with his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The Algerian president met with Lahoud at the airport and led him straight into a first round of talks at the state residence overlooking Algiers, officials said, according to AFP.

Prime Minister Ali Benflis and the speakers of both houses of parliament also welcomed the Lebanese leader, the officials said. Lahoud is expected to oversee the signing of two agreements on cooperation between the two countries' foreign ministries and the creation of joint ministerial committees on economic and social affairs, they added. (Albawaba.com)